Alexi Giannoulias on Homeland Security

Stop treating our veterans as second-class citizens

After serving on the front lines to protect America, our veterans are treated as second-class citizens when they return home. Nearly one-third of homeless Americans are veterans, and a third of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are experiencing symptoms of
post-traumatic stress disorder, but only half of soldiers suffering from PTSD or major depression have seen a physician or mental health provider.

Alexi believes that it is our responsibility to ensure that our troops have the best resources while in
active duty and the best support and care when they return home. That is why he was a leader on veterans issues as the Illinois State Treasurer, where he launched the Fallen Heroes Scholarship Fund to benefit the children of fallen
Illinois service members and passed legislation that prohibits the state from publicly auctioning any U.S. Military medal recovered from lost or abandoned safety deposit boxes. And it is why he will continue to lead as a U.S. Senator.

Source: Official Treasurer's office website
Aug 12, 2010

Remove roving wiretap provisions of Patriot Act

Q: Do you support admissibility of illegally obtained evidence?

A: NO.

Q: Do you support Congressional oversight of the NSA?

A: YES.

Q: Do you support the Real ID program?

A: NO.

Q: Do you favor detention of suspects and material witnesses
without charges and/or probable cause?

A: NO.

Q: Do you favor giving such detainees access to counsel?

A: YES. Q: Any other changes to the Patriot Act?

A: I would only support continuation of the Patriot Act if roving wiretap provisions are
overhauled so as to ensure the same privacy protections used in criminal investigations. Specifically, any reauthorization of this provision must be accompanied by strict regulations requiring that such a request must specify either the identity of the
target or the communications device being used, and making clear that the wiretap may not jump from phone to phone or other device unless the government "ascertains" that the target identified by the order is actually using that device.

Source: IVIIPO 2010 Congressional Questionnaire
Aug 11, 2010

Trust our legal system; no torture; no hidden jails

Q: Please explain your position on the Patriot Act.

A: I have the utmost trust in the U.S. legal system. I do not believe that we need to torture suspects in hidden jails to garner actionable intelligence or try suspects in secret tribunals to secure a
conviction. Richard Reid was tried and convicted by the Bush administration in civilian court and the Christmas Day bomber has provided FBI agents with actionable intelligence after being Mirandized and represented by an attorney.

Source: IVIIPO 2010 Congressional Questionnaire
Aug 11, 2010

Repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Brave men and women who are willing to fight and die for our country should be asked only one question: can they do the job? That is why Alexi supports the repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

As State Treasurer, Alexi ended years of a misguided policy in his office by extending health coverage to domestic partners. As a U.S. Senator, he would also work to end the double taxation of couples.

Opposes banning homosexuals in the military.

Giannoulias opposes the CC survey question on banning homosexuals in the military

The Christian Coalition voter guide [is] one of the most powerful tools Christians have ever had to impact our society during elections. This simple tool has helped educate tens of millions of citizens across this nation as to where candidates for public office stand on key faith and family issues.

The CC survey summarizes candidate stances on the following topic: "Enforcing the 1993 law banning homosexuals in the military"